The obligation to provide information regarding substances of very high concern (SVHC) in articles for the European Chemicals Agency's (ECHA) SCIP database enters into force in Finland on 19 July 2021. This obligation to provide information is based on amendment (EU) 2018/851, Article 9(1)(i) to the Waste Framework Directive, and it will be implemented with an amendment of the Finnish Chemicals Act (716/2021).
The Ministry of the Environment has previously recommended that companies provide information about SVHC for the ECHA SCIP database from 5 January 2021 onwards. From 19 July 2021 onwards, the provision of information is mandatory.
SCIP stands for “Substances of Concern in Articles as such or in Complex Objects (Products)”.
The obligation to submit SCIP notifications improves the flow of information about the SVHC contained by articles. The aim is to improve the availability of SVHC information over a product’s life cycle, including when it is waste. The database is also used to promote the replacing of SVHC with safer options.
Who must submit information for the SCIP database?
The obligation to submit SCIP notifications applies to suppliers of articles containing SVHC in a concentration above 0.1 per cent, weight by weight. The obligation applies to manufacturers and assemblers in the EU, importers to the EU, retailers in the EU, and other parties in the supply chain who make articles available on the market. Retailers supplying articles directly and exclusively to consumers are not required to submit notifications for the SCIP database.
Submitting notifications for the SCIP database is a new obligation for the suppliers of articles. The EU chemicals legislation has already required the suppliers of articles to report SVHC in the supply chain.
Tukes is the supervisory authority
The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) monitors compliance with the obligation to submit SCIP notifications. Tukes also advises companies regarding statutory requirements. The database’s operation and technical matters are the responsibility of ECHA.
More information:
Senior Officer Kati Suomalainen, tel. +358 29 50 52124
Tukes chemical information service
Tukes: Tietojen toimittaminen esineistä SCIP-tietokantaan (in Finnish)
Tukes bulletin, 2 September 2020: Yritysten on parannettava tiedottamista erityistä huolta aiheuttavista aineista (in Finnish) Tukes SCIP webinar (in Finnish)
ECHA
SCIP database
Q&As, Waste Framework Directive – SCIP database
Leaflet: The SCIP database. What you need to know (PDF
